French video game union STJV has accused Microsoft of creating the delays and extra costs it is now using to justify closing Arkane Lyon, the studio making Marvel's Blade.
In an open letter published on November 4th, the Syndicat des Travailleureuses du Jeu Vidéo (STJV) said Microsoft froze hiring across the group for 19 months, "artificially creating delays and extra costs", and now points to those same problems as grounds for closure. The union said production on Blade is going well and that "Arkane is profitable. Just not profitable enough in Microsoft's eyes." The quotes are Inven's translation from French.
The letter also claimed that Arkane's cash is regularly sent back to the group through a cash pooling arrangement, and that closing the studio and cancelling Blade would probably cost more than finishing the game. Microsoft had not responded publicly to the letter at the time of writing.
What Arkane Lyon's workers want
STJV said Microsoft's decision to add an extra month to the process was "a step forward" but "far from enough". If no serious buyer comes forward, the union said, Arkane will close and 217 employees will lose their jobs, along with freelancers, contractors and support staff. It pointed to Microsoft's net profit of more than $133bn last year.
The union wants workers to have a voice in choosing any buyer, through their works council representatives and unions, plus a protection fund if a new owner makes redundancies within 24 months of the sale. If the studio closes, it is asking for €200,000 in severance per worker, two years of redeployment leave paid for by Microsoft, and matching compensation for freelancers.
Arkane Lyon's future at Xbox
The studio's future has been uncertain since July, when Xbox CEO Asha Sharma wrote in a memo to staff that Arkane's management was starting a required consultation with its works council. On October 23rd, Le Monde reported that Microsoft wanted to close the studio, and Bloomberg has since reported that Ubisoft is among the bidders for Arkane Lyon.
Arkane Lyon released Dishonored in 2012, Dishonored 2 in 2016 and Deathloop in 2021. It joined Xbox when Microsoft bought ZeniMax Media, Bethesda's parent company, in 2021. Marvel's Blade was revealed at The Game Awards in December 2023 and is still in development.
